A NON-league football manager from Coventry was given a once-in-a-lifetime footballing lesson – by former England manager Fabio Capello.

Marcus Law is well-known in the city as the former boss of Coventry Sphinx and Racing Club Warwick, and has gone on to manage Tamworth FC.

But he found himself face-to-face with a footballing legend of an entirely different league when he met the famous Italian while both were waiting for flights at Spain’s Malaga Airport.

And he managed to grab a 30-minute audience with the man who led England for four years before his controversial exit over the John Terry captaincy row.

The 36-year-old boss, considered as one of the Blue Square Premier League’s brightest managerial prospects, said he had picked up some valuable tips.

“I had to chat him up,” said Marcus. “It’s not every often you bump into someone in the same line of business who has been at the very top of his game.

“He was good enough to allow me an invaluable insight into the game. It was priceless.

“If I had spent 25 years as a top flight league and international manager following a successful career as a player for club and country, I hope I’d be gracious enough to pass on my experiences.”

Marcus, on his way back with Tamworth’s directors after a midweek break, bumped into Capello, now manager of Russia, as the Italian waited for a flight to Rome.

The pair chatted about the beautiful game and the role of the modern-day manager both at international level and at Tamworth’s homely Lamb ground.

“He impressed on me how important it is to get your management staff right and look after the dressing room,” said Marcus, whose own career as a goalkeeper was ended at the age of 23 by a hip injury while playing for the Sacramento Knights.

“Mr Capello was very receptive. His English is very good – despite what the media critics might say.

“He may not come over as friendly as he has a stern look about him but I felt extremely comfortable in his company.

"I don’t think I’d have forgiven myself if I hadn’t taken that opportunity.”